State of the Union Addresses of John Quincy Adams eBook

to its close we have beheld, under the auspices and
at the expense of one State of this Union, a new university
unfolding its portals to the sons of science and holding
up the torch of human improvement to eyes that seek
the light. We have seen under the persevering
and enlightened enterprise of another State the waters
of our Western lakes mingle with those of the ocean.
If undertakings like these have been accomplished
in the compass of a few years by the authority of
single members of our Confederation, can we, the representative
authorities of the whole Union, fall behind our fellow
servants in the exercise of the trust committed to
us for the benefit of our common sovereign by the
accomplishment of works important to the whole and
to which neither the authority nor the resources of
any one State can be adequate?

Finally, fellow citizens, I shall await with cheering
hope and faithful cooperation the result of your deliberations,
assured that, without encroaching upon the powers
reserved to the authorities of the respective States
or to the people, you will, with a due sense of your
obligations to your country and of the high responsibilities
weighing upon yourselves, give efficacy to the means
committed to you for the common good. And may
He who searches the hearts of the children of men
prosper your exertions to secure the blessings of peace
and promote the highest welfare of your country.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

***

State of the Union Address
John Quincy Adams
December 5, 1826

Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of
Representatives:

The assemblage of the representatives of our Union
in both Houses of the Congress at this time occurs
under circumstances calling for the renewed homage
of our grateful acknowledgments to the Giver of All
Good. With the exceptions incidental to the most
felicitous condition of human existence, we continue
to be highly favored in all the elements which contribute
to individual comfort and to national prosperity.
In the survey of our extensive country we have generally
to observe abodes of health and regions of plenty.
In our civil and political relations we have peace
without and tranquillity within our borders.
We are, as a people, increasing with unabated rapidity
in population, wealth, and national resources, and
whatever differences of opinion exist among us with
regard to the mode and the means by which we shall
turn the beneficence of Heaven to the improvement of
our own condition, there is yet a spirit animating
us all which will not suffer the bounties of Providence
to be showered upon us in vain, but will receive them
with grateful hearts, and apply them with unwearied
hands to the advancement of the general good.

Of the subjects recommended to Congress at their last
session, some were then definitively acted upon.
Others, left unfinished, but partly matured, will
recur to your attention without needing a renewal of
notice from me. The purpose of this communication
will be to present to your view the general aspect
of our public affairs at this moment and the measures
which have been taken to carry into effect the intentions
of the Legislature as signified by the laws then and
heretofore enacted.